I love spending time with friends and family in the kitchen, around the dinner table or out in the garden. I love to cook and eat and food binds us together, doesn't it? I am currently eating gluten free, dairy free, oat free and corn free. This makes for one wild ride in the kitchen. Want to join me on it?

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Ok, Keeping with our theme of food, I thought I'd make a listing of some easy to pick up meals and snacks. For some items will list the stores where they are easily found. Some items are only available at certain stores. Some things may be generic items. Some are just snack foods that are easy to grab when hunger or a sweet tooth strikes!!!

Meals
~ Rotisserie Chicken- Preferably from Whole Foods. I know it sounds picky but their chickens are minimally seasoned and never make me sick, while others from various locations have lots of additives and don't tend to settle well
~ Salad- we love romaine, spinach, arugula. Please no iceberg lettuce!
~ Frozen Pizza - Dave can eat any brand and loves a meat lover's. I require a little more specialty- Either Udi's brand gluten free pizza (preferable pepperoni) available at Whole Foods, Publix, and possibly Kroger or Daiya brand Gluten Free Dairy free pizza available at Whole Foods
~Deli Meat- Dave can have any brand, or kind. I have to be careful. Heywood's Meat Haus has a wonderful selection of deli meats that are gluten and msg free made in house. Lebanon Bologna and Red wine and Fennel Salami are our favorites.
~ Hot dogs - Applegate Farms Nitrate free Grassfed beef. Available at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and most grocery stores.
~ ready to cook fresh sausages - Available at the meat counter at Whole foods (they'll walk you through gluten free options), and Heywood's Meat Haus Kielbasa is awesome!
~ Prepared foods from Whole Foods hot and cold bar- You'll have to read ingredients, but they are all listed and someone will help you if you ask!
~Say Cheez by Namaste- Cheese-less gluten free mac and cheese. I know it sounds gross, but it tastes good!! Available at Life Grocery, Whole Foods, possibly Kroger

Desserts and Sweets
~ Pamela's Simple bites cookies- we love the chocolate chip minis and the ginger snaps- available at Life grocery, Whole Foods, sometimes Kroger
~Snickerdoodles - Trader Joe's Gluten free, vegan. These are amazing! We always need more than one box!
~ Pamela's brownie mix- So good and so easy to make! Available at Whole Foods, Life Grocery, and Kroger. These beat out other brownies at parties when made with coconut oil. Always a hit!
~ Coconut Milk Ice Cream- Brands: Coconut Bliss and SO Delicious. Available at almost any grocery store. Favorites are anything chocolate, mint chocolate chip, or something with fruit.
~Strawberry real fruit popsicles - Trader Joe's
~ Coconut Bliss brand ice cream bars
~ Chocolate! Dark, gluten free, dairy free. Favorites include sea salt and almonds, peppermint, spicy.

There you have it folks!! It sounds like what's normally in our pantry or refrigerator!! Again, I hope that this list can help someone other than us. It's a list of fairly easy to find relatively to very healthy foods!

Thanks for reading. I'll probably take a break for awhile as it's difficult to type while on bed rest!!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

With my food limitations and peoples busy schedules, gift cards are a great way to provide a meal. I'm not including links here, just names of places or gift cards. Some are restaurants, some are stores nearby where we can purchase a meal. Some are available for purchase online. Some are easy to pick up at the grocery store.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

As I am currently on bedrest and we need help preparing meals for awhile I thought that some people may not feel comfortable cooking for us with my food restrictions or they may not have the time. I thought that a list of local restaurants and items from their menus may be helpful to some. This may also be helpful to those who live in the greater Atlanta area.

The Cuban Diner - This is a small family run local joint. The food is great! Kara's usual is the Mojito chicken with a side of Maduros and Moros. Dave loves their sandwiches! His favorites are the El Cubano, Croqueta, or Ropa Vieja - seved with a side of Maduras.

The Wing Cafe - hot wings! Need we say more? Our usual order is 20 wings hot and swimming! dave loves blue cheese with his wings. They also serve the Heywood's Bac-o-burger. This delicious meat comes from a local butcher. Order Kara's without a bun or cheese. Dave's without cheese.

Blue Moon Pizza - This is some seriously good pizza! Their gluten free crust is great. They offer take and bake as well as already baked pizza. Pizza is one thing that I will eat dairy on!! Kara's Favorite- Gluten free pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms and pepperoncinis. Gluten Free Bruschetta- Yum! We always like a greek salad- feta on the side please and hold the bread or sub GF bread! Dave will eat regular crust pizza- classic or jerk chicken.

El Ranchero Marietta - Our favorite place where you'll find us at least once a week, well except when I'm on bedrest! Our usuals include Sopa De Pollo, Fajitas De Camaron, Steak Mexicano, Tacos De Carne Asada, Pollo La Ranchera